News from 2012

• The Republic of the Marshall Islands accedes to the Biological Weapons Convention – Washington confirmed the accession of the Marshall Islands on 15 November 2012. This brings the membership of the BWC to 166 States Parties.
• A BWC Factsheet has been issued by UNODA in September 2012.
• BWC 2012 Chair writes to States Parties – On 27 September 2012 the Chairman, Ambassador Boujemâa Delmi of Algeria, wrote to States Parties to update them on preparations for the 2012 Meeting of States Parties (10-14 December). The letter included the Chairman’s synthesis paper and a proposed provisional agenda.
• BWC 2012 Chair writes to States Parties – Following regional group consultations, the Chair of the BWC, Ambassador Boujemâa Delmi of Algeria, wrote on 21 June to States Parties. The letter details his plans on: the programme of work; observers and guests of the meeting; background papers; poster session; sponsorship for participation; as well as the next steps. Attached to the letter are: a revised programme of work; a revised allocation of sub-items; and a revised list of invitees.
• BWC 2012 Chair writes to States Parties – On 1 June 2012 the Chair of the BWC, Ambassador Boujemâa Delmi of Algeria, wrote to States Parties detailing his plans for the Meeting of Experts. The letter included plans for: the agenda and programme of work; invited participants; background papers; the outcome of the meeting; as well as sponsorship for participation. Annexed to the letter was: a proposed agenda; a proposed programme of work; a possible allocation of sub-items; and a list of possible invitees.
• Program in International Biological Sciences Security Management – The Public Health Agency of Canada, the Office of Professional Training and Development at Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs and the University of Bradford (UK) are pleased to announce a cooperative Program in International Biological Sciences Security Management and the pilot offering of the first Advanced Certificate in International Biological Sciences Security workshop this August 2012.
• Update from the Head of the ISU – On 13 April 2012, the Head of the ISU, Mr Richard Lennane, wrote to States Parties on the confirmation of appointments of office holders for 2012. The letter indicates that Ambassador Boujemâa Delmi (Algeria) has been appointed Chair and that Dr. Cezary Lusinski (Poland) and Ambassador Alexandre Fasel (Switzerland) have been appointed as Vice-Chairs.
• Head of ISU writes to States Parties – On 23 March, the Head of the ISU, Mr Richard Lennane, wrote to States Parties. The letter touches upon the appointment of office holders (Chair and Vice-Chairs) for BWC meetings this year, as well as the new sponsorship programme and assistance database associated with work under the treaty.
• BWC 2012 Chair announces his departure from Geneva – On 15 March, the Chair of the BWC, Ambassador Idriss Jazairy of Algeria, wrote to States Parties indicating that he will not be able to continue to Chair the BWC meetings in 2012. Amb. Jazairy stated in the letter that his term in Geneva would conclude on 31 March and proposed a process (similar to that used in 2010) for the appointment of a successor.
• BWC 2012 Chair writes to States Parties – On 27 February 2012, the Chair of the BWC, Ambassador Idriss Jazairy of Algeria, wrote to States Parties detailing his plans for the development of a strategy and programme of work for BWC efforts. The letter also addresses the Sponsorship Prorgamme, CBMs, and Universality. Also attached was an extract from the Final Document of the Seventh Review Conference on the Standing Agenda Items.